Delta Air Lines Orders Additional Airbus Jets

Delta Air Lines announced today that they have added 15 A-321 jets to their order book. These new aircraft are in addition to a previously announced A-321 order. According to the press release these aircraft “…will replace similar, less-efficient domestic aircraft that are being retired from Delta’s fleet.” We’ll see the first of these new A-321s early in 2016.

One might speculate that these aircraft will replace some of the oldest 757s that Delta operates. Some of those ex-NWA birds are getting a little long in tooth. I’m fond of the A-321, though I have to admit, they lack the “wheaties” of the 757. Seriously, I love the power of the 757 on takeoff, and apparently the airlines do too. I’ve seen airline executives lament that nothing exactly replaces the 757. While I’m sure these new aircraft will be comfortable, I think the thing I’ll miss most about the 757 is turning left upon boarding.

Marshall Jackson is an aviation enthusiast and avid cruiser. Throughout high school and college he continued to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot obtaining his commercial pilot’s license at age 19. After college Marshall started his professional flying career as a Jetstream, and later Saab first officer with a regional airline. Grounded by Type 1 Diabetes in 1996, Marshall transitioned into operations management at one of the world’s largest airlines performing safety and compliance audits at airline and vendor facilities worldwide. Applying the skills gained in that position, Marshall moved into airport operations management at one of his airline’s busiest airports. After 10 years in the airline business, Marshall moved on to a new career that includes plenty of travel and plenty of cruises, and that’s just the way he likes it.

Nothing may exactly replace the 75 but the NEO 321 will come pretty close. With double aux tanks it will carry 52,000 lbs of fuel, 10,000 lbs more than the standard 320/321. If you combine that with the @ 20% lower fuel burn that the NEO will have, you have a 321 with about a 4,000 k. Mile range operational range. Not quite what the 75 has but close enough for about 99% of what the 75 currently operates. And will do it at a much lower DOC.

I’ve admittedly not looked at the stats on the 321neo. Will be an interesting airplane.

Nick

They like the 752 but not it’s fuel burn. Will 321 NEO be able to take off from shorter runways (6500 ft) in Hawaii and the Caribbean with close to full load? Or will it be weight restricted etc?

rob

Caribbean is no problem for the current 321. Hawaii airports won’t be an issue for the NEO. BTW the current 321 with the double aux tanks could do Hawaii all day long but none of the current airlines flying to Hawaii had 321 when they started that service.